What is the purpose of an Index?

It is important to note the difference between indexing and ranking, especially in this first year of development. Both indexing and ranking involve the tracking of consistently measured data. Ranking, however, compares unique data sets to each other periodically, whereas indexing measures the change of comparable data sets to each other over time. It is the change factor of indexing which gives us an accurate view of how we are doing compared to other comparable mountain communities in Colorado. Indexing provides a better tool to monitor change.

In order to create an index that is accurate and useful over time, the initial numerical baseline for a given subject (Routt County in this case) must be established as a value of 1. So, in the first year, the true index charts for all categories are much less telling than the ranking between markets for each category, or the index values in years to come. The more time and data that is factored into this tracking instrument, the more useful it will become as a tool to guide decisions in the direction that our community values.

While the numeric results of this initial Index primarily establish a universal benchmark of “1”, the true value of this document will be realized in future years, as it provides a consistent and mathematically correct measurement tool to track and compare 10 neighboring Colorado counties. An illustration of this is that in 2008, Routt Count will be a value of 1.0 in all metrics. In 2009, should Routt County get 5% “worse,” our index will be .95 and if we get 5% “better,” it will be 1.05. All other counties will also be measured with respect to change between 2008 and 2009.

To make this document more immediately useful, the individual groups of the Team (Economic, Environmental, Civic, and Social) have weighted each category based on its importance to the other data sets within its segment, and ascribed a “color” indicator to reflect their “risk” interpretation of the ranking within each category, based on their understanding of the Routt County community and its values. This color is denoted in the bar that represents Routt County in each chart throughout the Index, and the key for this color description is as follows:

Green = Good; we are at an acceptable place
Yellow = Caution; let’s keep an eye on this category
Red = Risk; we should take action

Overview

Who are Routt County’s “neighbors” and why are they included?

The Team also decided to it would be beneficial to compare these metrics to neighboring counties with similar characteristics, in order to give us a contrasting view, or “backdrop,” of Routt County’s change. There are certain external factors that will affect all markets, and therefore resort based counties will likely shift in similar directions at similar rates. Monitoring Routt County compared to other similar markets over time, we can better identify the areas where we can influence change with our policies and action.

The nine comparable Colorado counties selected are: Chaffee, Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Gunnison, La Plata, Pitkin, San Miguel, and Summit. (Combined with Routt County, these are referred to throughout the Index as “Core Counties”). These counties were selected for comparison because they have similar traits and characteristics of Routt County. While each of the counties differ from one another in economic and demographic features, they all include a recreational component and are beautiful places to live, and share the benefits and challenges that accompany the change which Routt County is experiencing. By studying the trends for all of these markets in the areas of importance as identified by the RCEDC Team, we as a community are able to have access to measurable information that helps us make more informed decisions.

Why a Livability Index?

The purpose of this Livability Index is to provide a fact-based guide for the constituents and public decision makers of Routt County to make more informed choices. While many communities develop Economic Studies, the mission of the people who have created this document was to recognize significant drivers of the health and wealth of our citizens that reach beyond the dollars and cents that drive the economy; the facets that make up our united fabric. Therefore hundreds of hours were dedicated to the analysis and thought regarding exactly what is important to our community, and to the development of an accurate process of how to measure these values over time.

This index serves as a tool that can be used to measure the change in our area. The following is a high-level overview of the development of Routt County’s metrics for 4 aspects of importance to our citizens: Economic, Environmental, Social and Civic. Convened by the Routt County Economic Development Cooperative (RCEDC), a cross-sectional team of 25 volunteers including 4 facilitators and 21 members (referenced throughout the Index as the “Team”) was identified based on several criteria: their geographic representation, individual breadth and depth of professional knowledge, and experience and/or personal interest in their respective sub-teams. The overall goal of the RCEDC and the Team was to reflect the needs and concerns of Routt County constituents, and to provide them with a basis for making more informed decisions to shape our community.

The data sets used in the Routt County Livability Index were either characteristics of what the groups wanted to measure or highly correlated traits of such within each of the four main categories. These data sets are from public sources, most of which are updated and available on the Internet.

We believe that collectively these measurements begin to quantify what is valued when quality of life or a community’s livability is discussed. The process to obtain the data is well documented which will enable easy replication from year to year. This initial Index is a starting point which will expand over time as new and enhanced data becomes available.

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